John Dawes, President
Walter Pomeroy, Executive Director

The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization composed of individuals, watershed associations, conservation organizations and other corporations who support our goals and mission statement: "POWR is dedicated to the protection, sound management and enhancement of the Commonwealth’s rivers and watersheds and to the empowerment of local organizations with the same commitment."

Carrie Burkholder is our Environmental Monitoring Project Coordinator. She is coordinating the development of the Volunteer Watershed Monitoring Network to meet the needs of and utilize the data generated within Pennsylvania’s watershed monitoring community. Carrie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with an option in Ecology from Millersville University. In addition, she has conducted extensive fieldwork and aquatic research in parts of Pennsylvania. She is very familiar with Pennsylvania’s waterways (especially her home watershed, the Tulpehocken Creek) and continually researches options to improve them and maintain them for future generations.

John Coutts is POWR’s Electronic Communications Manager and is responsible for all of our computer-related activities. He will help to develop mechanisms to link individuals and groups in Pennsylvania’s growing watershed and river conservation community. His main concentration is to facilitate communication through our website and to devise ways to integrate volunteer watershed monitoring data into state and local decision-making processes. John will receive his A.A.S. in Networking Technology from Harrisburg Area Community College in May 2001. He grew up in the Harrisburg area, and is eager to learn more about the Swatara Creek Watershed, which he has spent his life in.

Lisa Daly is POWR’s Office Manager. Lisa is responsible for all financial management, accounting and membership services. In her past lives, Lisa has been very involved in wildlife habitat issues both educationally and professionally. She has also worked as a graphic artist, biological technician, and real estate agent. Having recently relocated to the Harrisburg area (Paxton Creek Watershed) from Utah, she is looking forward to learning about all of the watershed issues facing Pennsylvanians.

Susan Parry is our Watershed Programs Coordinator. One of the projects she is working on is the Sojourn Organizer’s Guide for Pennsylvania, which promotes DCNR’s June Rivers Month initiatives through group canoe trips on selected waterways around the state. Susan also manages our Education and Outreach Program, made possible thanks to a Growing Greener Grant. She is producing resource materials aimed at assisting local watershed groups to succeed in their efforts. Susan has a degree in Environmental Resources Management, and a graduate degree in Public Administration. Being a native of the Yellow Breeches Watershed, she is familiar with the watershed issues facing all of us. Susan has great dedication to our rivers and streams, and is anxious to further promote the stewardship of them.

Walt Pomeroy is the Executive Director of POWR. Walt is responsible for overall management of our organization, staff dealings with the Board of Directors, as well as major fundraising activities. Prior to heading the team here, he directed the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of the National Audubon Society (based in PA) for 17 years. Prior to that, he was Public Information Director for the Great Lakes Basin Commission. Watersheds, rivers and riparian habitats have been the focus of his 30-year professional career. When not working on issues related to watersheds, you are likely to find him canoeing down a river with his family or wandering along a stream with his camera.

Timothy D. Schaeffer is our Science and Policy Director. One of Tim’s primary roles is directing POWR’s efforts to develop the Volunteer Watershed Monitoring Network. He recently completed a three-year study of local government participation in protecting New York City’s Catskill/Delaware drinking water supply. In May, he will receive his Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and his J.D. from Syracuse University. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Gettysburg College and an M.S. in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Tim grew up in and around the Susquehanna River and lives in the Yellow Breeches Creek Watershed.

Bonnie S. Swinehart is the Environmental Writer/Editor for POWR, and produces our Watershed Weekly and Monitoring Matters newsletters. Bonnie is an honors student at Harrisburg Area Community College. She will graduate in May 2001 with an Associate of Arts degree in Mass Communications. Her environmental background includes serving as Communication Associate for the Environmental Fund for Pennsylvania, producers of the Green Works for Pennsylvania television series. Bonnie and her family call the Middle Creek Watershed in Snyder County their home.